I have been meaning to try this cigar but was always put off by the price and normally moved onto the 1964s, which are great and also cheaper.
Last night I was gifted one by Blueface when we herfed (thanks Carlos!) along with a 64 monarca, both maduro.
I had heard it is the choice of the Padron family when they are smoking whatever they want and read somewhere that the 35 comes from the minutes ittakes for it to be smoked, which the Padrons liked as the frequent ride to Miami airport takes them 35 minutes so they are smoking the whole way, but don't know how true it is.
The fact that Carlos put it at the top of his list, and has such a nice selection to chose from made me anxious to try it.
Anyway, I wondered how much better the 26 is to the 64 and found that this short stick wastes no time in getting down to business.
From the initial feel, I thought it would be a tight draw due to the construction which is rather firm.
I am still surprised at how easily such a firmly rolled cigar was on the draw and never thought of correcting the draw with a tool.
It wasted no time and provided a really nice draw and even burn with lots of smoke and great flavor.
I found the flavor similar to the 64 maduro but quite a bit smoother.
The burn stayed perfectly even and it performed like a champ to the end and I can see why this cigar as well as all the Anniversaries perform so highly in the ratings.
Although it was my first 26, i can see how the extra 3 years of aging really benefits this cigar and it is hard to rate it anything but nearly perfect all around and probably in the top few cigars I have tried.
Due to the cost of these, it's not likely they will ever make my regular rotation, but I can see myself grabbing a couple for a treat more frequentky than not.
I would rate this cigar as a 9.7 out of 10 and definitely a contender for all cigars, Cuban or not.
Last night I was gifted one by Blueface when we herfed (thanks Carlos!) along with a 64 monarca, both maduro.
I had heard it is the choice of the Padron family when they are smoking whatever they want and read somewhere that the 35 comes from the minutes ittakes for it to be smoked, which the Padrons liked as the frequent ride to Miami airport takes them 35 minutes so they are smoking the whole way, but don't know how true it is.
The fact that Carlos put it at the top of his list, and has such a nice selection to chose from made me anxious to try it.
Anyway, I wondered how much better the 26 is to the 64 and found that this short stick wastes no time in getting down to business.
From the initial feel, I thought it would be a tight draw due to the construction which is rather firm.
I am still surprised at how easily such a firmly rolled cigar was on the draw and never thought of correcting the draw with a tool.
It wasted no time and provided a really nice draw and even burn with lots of smoke and great flavor.
I found the flavor similar to the 64 maduro but quite a bit smoother.
The burn stayed perfectly even and it performed like a champ to the end and I can see why this cigar as well as all the Anniversaries perform so highly in the ratings.
Although it was my first 26, i can see how the extra 3 years of aging really benefits this cigar and it is hard to rate it anything but nearly perfect all around and probably in the top few cigars I have tried.
Due to the cost of these, it's not likely they will ever make my regular rotation, but I can see myself grabbing a couple for a treat more frequentky than not.
I would rate this cigar as a 9.7 out of 10 and definitely a contender for all cigars, Cuban or not.
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